Delivered to the USAAF as 44-76803, then spent time in service with the RNZAF as NZ3543. Recently this aircraft and ZK-DAK were purchased by new Australian operator Gooney Bird Adventures Darwin. The aircraft arrived at Essendon airport where the work to put it onto the Australian VH register will begin and certify it in the Limited category.

Aircraft flew Auckland-Norfolk Island-Sydney on delivery flight to new owner in Melbourne

Delivered to the USAAF as 44-76803 then to the RNZAF as NZ3543 in 1945. To NZNAC as ZK-AWP in 1952. To Polynesian Airlines as 5W-SAI in 1970. Back to ZK-AWP in 1973 then to Tonga as A3-AWP in 2005. Back to ZK-AWP in 2013.

Photo by Ray Deerness.

Ex Royal New Zealand Air Force NZ3543, registered ZK-AWP 10th July 1952 and operated as 5W-FAI with Polynesian Airlines Feb 1970-July 1973. It was registered to NAC on its return and transferred to Classic Air Services Oct 1986. Operated in Tonga as A3-AWP March 2006-Nov 2013 and returned to serve with Air Chathams.

Ex NZ3543 41 Sqn RNZAF 1945-52. ZK-AWP NZNAC 1952-1970. Fieldair in 1975. Operated for a period in Speedlink colours. To A3-AWP in Tonga in 2006.

ZK-AWP first arrived in New Zealand in 1945 for the RNZAF. IN 1952 it became ZK-AWP. -AWP has served in Samoa (as 5W-FAI) and Tonga (as A3-AWP). Air Chathams bought it in 2009 but it was 2013 before it returned to New Zealand.